Timo Werner Nears Permanent MLS Move to San Jose

Timo Werner, the 29-year-old German forward, is on the verge of a permanent transfer from RB Leipzig to Major League Soccer's San Jose Earthquakes, with a verbal agreement reached and formalities expected to conclude in the coming days.

The move, which positions Werner as one of the Earthquakes' designated players, comes during the MLS winter transfer window. Sources indicate that negotiations between the clubs are progressing smoothly, with no significant transfer fee anticipated since Werner's contract with Leipzig expires at the end of the current season. He is set to join the California-based team ahead of the 2026 campaign, filling a key attacking role after the departure of forward Josef Martínez to Tijuana in Mexico's Liga MX. San Jose retains another designated player slot open as part of its ongoing squad rebuild.

Werner's limited involvement at Leipzig has driven the switch. The player, who has earned 57 caps and scored 24 goals for Germany, has featured in just three Bundesliga matches this season, totaling 13 minutes of action before the league's winter break. Leipzig's managing director for sport, Marcel Schäfer, addressed Werner's situation in late December...